Step chair

ABSTRACT

A step chair having a fixed seat secured to upright side members. A movable panel is slidably mounted on the side members adjacent the seat for movement to a top step position. The panel can be elevated in response to movement of a back rest. When the back rest is in a down step position, the movable panel is held in an up step position. An elevating mechanism, operable in response to pivotal movement of the back rest, selectively moves and holds the movable panel to an up step position and to a down seat position.

United States Patent Schmidt Mar. 21, 1972 [54] STEP CHAIR 1,255,764 2/1918 Macon ..297/125 1,280,797 10/1918 Michenfelder... ..'..l82/33.6 [721 memo" schmid" Paul, W 1,s70,309 8/1932 Cummiskey 182/336 Assigneez Richard 0 Banz, kfirmeapolis,'Nlinn- Greene l [22] Filed: June 3, 1970 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado A -B d, B k & B rt: y pp NO: 43,087 ttorney ur raddoc a Related US. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT A step chair having a fixed seat secured to upright side mem- [63] commuanon'm'pan of bers. A movable panel is slidably mounted on the side mem- 1969, Pat. No. 3,530,954- bers adjacent the seat for movement to a top step position. The panel can be elevated in response to movement of a back [52] 297/124 rest. When the back rest is in a down step position, the mova- [51] Int. Cl ..A47c 13/00 ble panel is held in an up step position; An elevating [58] Field Of Search ..182/33, 33.4, 33.2, 33.3, 33.5, v mechanism operable in response to pivotal movement of the 182/ 33-6; 108/ l 9 l 125 back rest, selectively moves and holds the movable panel to an up step position and to a down seat position. [56] References Cited 15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Pa tented March 21, 1972 650,351

2 Sheets-Sh 1 I N VEN TOR.

e s er 0. 50/44/9 BY IffOP/VEKS Patented Mmh 21, 1972 3,650,351

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

QSFMM STEP CHAIR CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of US. application, Ser. No. 808,926, filed Mar. 20, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,530,954

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Combined seats and step stools have been developed therein the back rests of the stools pivot to a down position over fixed seats to form two step ladders. Examples of this type of seat and step stool are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 2,666,210, 2,675,058, and 2,955,645. The maximum height of these ladders is determined by the fixed position of the seat. Another type of combined ladder and chair, shown in US. Pat. No. 1,280,797, has a right angle pivoted top step. The step is releasably locked in a step position and in a seat positron.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention broadly relates to a chair which can be converted into a multistep stool or ladder, commonly called a step chair. The step chair has a base having transversely spaced upright side members. A stationary generally horizontal seat extends between and is secured to the side members. A movable means, having a transverse member, is positioned generally parallel to the seat means in a top step position and selectively moved from the top step position to a generally upright position. Coacting guide means, attached to opposite portions of the transverse member and upright side members, mount the movable means on the base for selective movement to a first position to provide an upper step and a second position to provide a generally upright transverse member.

In one form of the invention, a back rest is mounted on the base for selective movement to an upright back position and to a down step position. An elevating mechanism is operatively attached to the movable back rest and functions to raise the movable means to its top step position in response to movement of the back rest to its down step position. The elevating mechanism also locks the top step in its elevated position.

In another form of the invention, the coacting guide means, between the movable means and the side members, comprise a pivot connection which permits the movable transverse member to be selectively positioned in a transverse top step position and in a generally upright position. Upper portions of the side members are provided with recesses for accommodating the transverse step to lock or retain the step in the top step position.

An object of the invention is to provide a portable unit which can be used as a chair or a multistep ladder and can be converted from a chair to a ladder in a minimum amount of time without releasing or removing parts. Another object of the invention is to provide a step chair with a movable top step which can be locked in the top step position. A further object of the invention is to provide a step chair with a movable member that can be locked in a top step position and moved to a back rest position without detaching the member from the remainder of the chair. Another object of the invention is to provide a multistep chair that is economical to manufacture, reliable and safe in use, and adaptable for use by children and adults.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the three-step chair with the back rest in the up position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the three step chair with the back rest in the down step position and the movable seat panel in the up step position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the three step chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the three step chair of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a two-step chair of the invention with the top step located in the chair position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a two step chair with the top step located in the step position;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the three-step chair of the invention, indicated generally at 10. Step chair 10 can be used as a conventional chair having an upright back rest as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, step chair l0'can be used as a three-step ladder with the back rest, as shown in FIG. 2.

Step chair 10 comprises upright side members 11 and 12, each having front and rear flat legs 13 for supporting the chair on a surface. Attached to the top of side members 11 and 12 is a front seat panel 14. The seat panel 14 has a width approximately one-half the length of the top of the side'members I1 and 12 and a slightly convex curved forward edge. Located below seat panel 14 is a transverse cross bar 16 attached to the side members 11 and 12 tostabilize and space the lower portions of the side members. The side members 11 and I2 and seat panel 14 comprise the stationary base of the chair.

A back rest, indicated generally at 17, is pivotally mounted on the side members 1 l and 12 for movement from an upright back rest position, as shown in FIG. I, to a down step position, as shown in FIG. 2. Back rest 17 comprises a pair of anns l8 and 19 located adjacent the outsides of the side members 11 and 12. The back of the outer ends of the arms are secured to a transverse back panel 21. The lower ends of arms 18 and 19 are secured to a transverse pivot rod 22 projected through aligned holes in the back of side members 11 and 12. Flat washers (not shown) carried by rod 22 are located between the lower ends of the arms 18 and 19 and the outside of the side members 11 and 12 to space the arms from the side members. The upper ends of arms 18 and 19 have forwardly directed rounded cars 23 and 24 which serve as supports for the back rest 17 when it is in the down position, as shown in FIG. 2. Ears 23 and 24 have a length of about twice the transverse width of arms 18 and 19.

When the back rest 17 is in the up position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the back edges of the arms 18 and 19 engage stops 26 secured to the side members 11 and 12. The arms 18 and 19, when in the up position, project upwardly and rearwardly locating the back rest rearwardly over the center of the pivot rod 22, thereby preventing the free fall movement of the back rest 17 to the horizontal position.

Located adjacent the rear side of front seat panel 14 is a movable seat panel 27. Panel 27 is movable between a down seat position, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein opposite end portions of the panel rest on the top of side members 11 and 12 to an up step position. FIG. 2 shows the movable seat panel 27 in the up top step position. The opposite ends of the movable seat panel 27 are secured to upright flat slide members 28 and 29 located closely adjacent the inside faces of the side members 11 and 12. Angle brackets 30 secure the seat panel 27 to the upright members 28 and 29.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upright slide member 28 is located between upright guide strips or rails 31 and 32 secured to the inside of side member 11. In a similar manner, upright guide strips or rails 33 and 34 are secured to the inside of side member 12 to provide guideways for the upright slide member 29. The front and rear upright edges of the slide members 28 and 29 are in loose sliding relation with the adjacent surfaces of the upright guide strips 31, 32 and 33, 34. To provide the upright slide members 28 and 29 with large bearing surfaces with the guide strips 31, 32 and 33, 34, the bottom of the upright members 28 and 29 are provided with upright recesses 36 for accommodating the pivot rod 22. The slide members 28 and 29 have relatively large flat faces located close to the inside of side members 11 and 12 providing the seat panel 27 with lateral stability.

The elevating mechanism for the movable seat panel 27, indicated generally at 37, comprises a pair of cam arms 38 and 39 attached to the pivot rod 22 with fasteners 41, as bolts, so that the cam arms 38 and 39 rotate with the pivot rod 22. The arms 38 and 39 are located adjacent the inside faces of the upright members 28 and 29. Each cam arm has an upper convex curved face 42 which terminates in a top notch 43. The face 42 is aligned with a roller 44 rotatably mounted on an axle 46 secured to and projected outwardly from the upright side member 28. Axle 46 can be a bolt fixed to the side member. Roller 44 can be rotatably mounted on the fixed bolt. A similar roller (not shown) mounted on side member 29 cooperates with cam arm 39.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the back rest 17 is in the up position, the cam arms 38 and 39 extend rearwardly and are spaced from the rollers 44. On forward movement of the back rest 17 to the forward horizontal step position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cam arms rotate with the pivot rod 22 in the direction of the arrow 47. Rod 22 serves as a power transmitting means between back rest 17 and elevating mechanism 37. As the back rest is pivoted in a forward direction, the convex curved faces 42 of the cam arms 38 and 39 engage the rollers 44 and move the seat panel 27 in an upward direction. When the back rest 17 is in the horizontal step position, the rollers 44. have moved into the notches 43 at the ends of the cam arms 38 and 39, thus locking the seat panel 27 in its raised position. The cam arms 38 and 39, being slightly over center in a forward direction prevent the back rest 17 from raising when a load is placed on the movable seat panel 27. Accordingly, the movable seat panel 27 is locked in the up position by the cam arms 38 and 39 until the back rest 17 is pivoted back to its up position.

The three-step chair is converted from the three-step ladder, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, back to the chair position by merely raising the back rest 17 to the up position. This moves the cam arms 38 and 39 rearwardly away from the rollers 44, whereby the seat panel 27 is free to slide down into engagement with the top of the side members 11 and 12. The stops 26 on the side members 11 and 12 hold the back rest 17 in the up back rest position.

The size of the three step chair can be a childs stool with fixed seat panel 14 having an elevation from the floor of about 8 inches. The movable seat panel 27 elevates about 4 inches. The chair can be a kitchen stool, wherein the fixed seat has an elevation from the floor of about 18 inches. The movable seat panel and back rest are proportional in size and location to the fixed seat panel. Other types of elevating linkages and mechanisms can be used to raise the movable seat panel in response to forward movement of the back rest. The guide rails can be provided with antifriction strips or rollers to prevent binding of the slide members attached to the movable seat panel. Changes in material and the shape of the various parts can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The chair can be made of wood, plastic, metal and like rigid materials.

In summary, step chair 10 has a base with upright side members 11 and 12 permanently secured to a fixed seat panel 14. Located adjacent the panel 14 is a movable member 27. The movable member 27 is slidably mounted on the side members 11 and 12 for selective movement to a top step position and a down position where the unit is used as a chair. Coacting guide means, comprising the upright side members 28 and 29 secured to the member 27 and the upright rails 31 and 32 secured to the side members 11 and 12, are used to guide the movement of the member 27 relative to the side members 11 and 12. This movement is controlled by the angular position of the back rest 17.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, there is shown a two step chair, indicated generally at 100, which can be converted to a chair, a two-step stool or ladder. Step chair 100 has spaced upright side members 111 and 112 each having, at the corners thereof, downwardly directed legs 113. The forward edges of the side members 111 and 112 have concave curved upper sections to provide the chair with arms. Other types of contours and designs can be used for the profile of the side members 111 and 112. For example, the rabbit-shaped side members shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,675,058 or a straight diagonal shape can be used as the forward edge of the side the side members 111 and 112 for movement to a first seat position, as shown in FIG. 5, and a second step position, as shown in FIG. 6. Upright guide members 118 and 119 are secured to opposite sides of the panel 117. The upright members 118 and 119 extend downwardly adjacent the outside faces of the side members 111 and 112. Spacers or washers (not shown) can be positioned between the side members 1 l1 and 112 and upright members 118 and 1 19 to prevent binding or rubbing of these members. The upright members 118 and 119 have longitudinally elongated slots or recesses 121 for accommodating pivot members 122 and 123 which serve as coacting guide means for attaching the transverse member 1 17 to the side members 111 and 112. Pivot members 122 and 123 can be nut and bolt assemblies which extend through the slots 12] and into nuts anchored in the side members 111 and 1 12. The pivot members can be dowels or studs projected outwardly from the side members 111 and 112. Alternatively, the slots can be placed in the side members 111 and 112 with the pivot members secured to the upright members 118 and 119 and extended into the slots.

The top portions of the side members 111 and 112 have generally horizontal recesses 124 and 126, respectively, for accommodating opposite portions of the movable panel 117 when it is in the top step position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. Located on opposite sides of the recesses 124 and 126 are a short pair of upright ears 127 and 128 which serve as stops for locating the movable panel in the recesses 124 and 126.

The top back corners 129 of the side members 111 and 112 are curved to allow the movable panel 117 to pivot about the pivot members 122 and 123 from the seat position, as shown in FIG. 7, to the top step position, as shown in FIG. 8. Elongated slots 121 permit the panel 117 to be lowered into the recesses 124 and 126 between the pair of ears 127 and 128. Upon movement of the panel 117 from the step position, the panel is initially raised until the pivot members 122 and 123 engage the bottom of the slots 121. The panel 117 is then pivoted in a rearward direction until it is located adjacent the back of the side members 111 and 112, as shown in FIG. 7. The panel rests on a transverse back 131 secured to the side members 111 and 112 and the seat 114. The side members 111 and 112 can be provided with back recesses for accommodating the panel 117. The distance from the pivot members 122 and 123 to the back edges of the side members 111 and 112 is equal to the distance from the bottom of the grooves 121 to the lower side of panel 117. The pivot members 122 and 123 thus serve to hold the panel in a fixed upright back rest position when the unit is used as a chair. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, when the panel or transverse member 117 is in the upright position, it is located generally in the rear part of the chair. This opens the space between side wall 111 and 112 to accommodate objects or part of a person.

The chair can be made from wood, plastic, metal and like structural materials. Changes in material, the shape and size of the step chair can be made without departing from the invention. The step chair can be a small childs stool or a stool usable in a kitchen, mobile, or motor home.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A step chair comprising: base means having transverse spaced generally upright side members, generally horizontal seat means extended between and secured to said side members, movable means having a transverse member positioned generally parallel with the seat means, and coacting guide means attached to opposite portions of the transverse member and upright side members for mounting the movable means on the base means for selective movement to a first position to provide an upper step and a second position to provide a transverse member usable with the seat as part of a chair, said side members each having a top recess for accommodating a portion of the transverse member when it is in the first position.

2. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the coacting guide means include spaced upright first members connected to the transverse member and second members on the side members to control movement of the movable means.

3. The step chair of claim 2 wherein: the first members have elongated slots and the second members are pivot members extended through the slots and secured to the side members.

4. The step chair of claim 1 including: a generally upright back member secured to rear portions of the side members.

5. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the side members each have upper portions containing the top recesses for accommodating the portions of the transverse member when it is in the first position.

6. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the transverse member is located adjacent the back of the side members when it is in the second position.

7. The step chair of claim 6 including: stop means on the base means to fix the location of the transverse member in the second position.

8. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the coacting guide means includes transverse pivot means connecting the movable means to the side members.

9. The step chair of claim 7 wherein: the coacting guide means includes elongated slots accommodating the transverse pivot means, whereby the movable means has limited linear horizontal second supporting means at an elevation above the first supporting means, coacting means on the transverse member and first side means and second side means for mounting the movable means on the first side means and second side means for selective movement to said first position and a second position wherein the transverse member extends in a generally upward direction, said first side means and said second side means each joined to first and second portions spaced from each other and a downwardly directed generally horizontal recess adjacent the upper portion of each side means between said first and second portions joined to each side means, said transverse member when it is located in the first position having opposite end portions located in the recesses between the first and second portions joined to the first and second side means.

12. The step stool of claim 11 wherein: the upper portions of the side means have shoulders engageable with the portions of the transverse member when it is in the first position.

13. The step stool of claim 11 wherein: said coacting means includes pivot means connecting the transverse member with the first and second side means.

14. The step stool of claim 11 wherein: said transverse member is a generally flat platelike member.

The step stool of claim 11 wherein: said transverse member has a generally flat upper surface that is generally parallel to said first step means when the transverse member is in its first position. 

1. A step chair comprising: base means having transverse spaced generally upright side members, generally horizontal seat means extended between and secured to said side members, movable means having a transverse member positioned generally parallel with the seat means, and coacting guide means attached to opposite portions of the transverse member and upright side members for mounting the movable means on the base means for selective movement to a first position to provide an upper step and a second position to provide a transverse member usable with the seat as part of a chair, said side members each having a top recess for accommodating a portion of the transverse member when it is in the first position.
 2. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the coacting guide means include spaced upright first members connected to the transverse member and second members on the side members to control movement of the movable means.
 3. The step chair of claim 2 wherein: the first members have elongated slots and the second members are pivot members extended through the slots and secured to the side members.
 4. The step chair of claim 1 including: a generally upright back member secured to rear portions of the side members.
 5. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the side members each have upper portions containing the top recesses for accommodating the portions of the transverse member when it is in the first position.
 6. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the transverse member is located adjacent the back of the side members when it is in the second position.
 7. The step chair of claim 6 including: stop means on the base means to fix the location of the transverse member in the second position.
 8. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: the coacting guide means includes transverse pivot means connecting the movable means to the side members.
 9. The step chair of claim 7 wherein: the coacting guide means includes elongated slots accommodating the transverse pivot means, whereby the movable means has limited linear movement.
 10. The step chair of claim 1 wherein: each side member has spaced generally upright ears on opposite sides of said top recesses.
 11. A step stool comprising: base means having generally horizontal first supporting means, first generally upright side means secured to one end of the first supporting means, second generally upright side means secured to the other end of the first supporting means; movable means having a transverse member movable to a first generally horizontal position wherein the transverse member is usable as a generally horizontal second Supporting means at an elevation above the first supporting means, coacting means on the transverse member and first side means and second side means for mounting the movable means on the first side means and second side means for selective movement to said first position and a second position wherein the transverse member extends in a generally upward direction, said first side means and said second side means each joined to first and second portions spaced from each other and a downwardly directed generally horizontal recess adjacent the upper portion of each side means between said first and second portions joined to each side means, said transverse member when it is located in the first position having opposite end portions located in the recesses between the first and second portions joined to the first and second side means.
 12. The step stool of claim 11 wherein: the upper portions of the side means have shoulders engageable with the portions of the transverse member when it is in the first position.
 13. The step stool of claim 11 wherein: said coacting means includes pivot means connecting the transverse member with the first and second side means.
 14. The step stool of claim 11 wherein: said transverse member is a generally flat platelike member.
 15. The step stool of claim 11 wherein: said transverse member has a generally flat upper surface that is generally parallel to said first step means when the transverse member is in its first position. 